Science / Tech Museums

2 min read

Intrepid Sea-Air and Space Museum

New York Cityhttps://www.intrepidmuseum.org">

https://www.aahom.org

Adults: US $16.50; U.S.Reservists/college students/seniors: $12.50; children under 2: free, age 2-5: $4.50; youths 6-17: $11.50; disabled patrons: $8.25; active U.S. military/veterans/museum members: free

Engineering Judges: Roland Trope, partner, Trope and Schramm LLP, in New York City, and Cynthia Trope, assistant curator, Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum, Smithsonian Institution, in New York City

Junior Jury: Winston, age 7

This Museum's home is the aircraft carrier USS Intrepid, anchored beside Manhattan in the Hudson River. Exhibits focus on U.S. military history and technology from the active duty period of the Intrepid (1943-1970), but an interactive computer exhibit also covers current and future military technology. There is a large space exhibit, and visitors can even walk through a decommissioned Concorde airplane. Our judges say this museum is "outstanding for children" and that "anyone with an interest in the sea would be delighted by the opportunity to walk through this splendid ship." The junior juror particularly enjoyed the flight simulator and now repeatedly requests visits to this museum.

Hiller Aviation Museum

San Carlos Airport near San Franciscohttps://www.hiller.org">

Admission: Adults: $8; youths 8-17/seniors: $5; children under 8: free

Engineering Judge: Sue Kayton and Michael Barclay, attorney, Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, in Menlo Park, Calif.

Junior Jury: Daniel, age 18, and Rachel, age 15

Displays On The Old Days Of Aviation are offered at this northern California museum. The intended audience is people of middle-school age and up. Exhibits include dozens of old airplanes and helicopters, a jet backpack, and a Vietnam-era one-man portable rescue helicopter. Our judges found the staff "extremely helpful and knowledgeable" and suggest taking a docent tour. They recommend this museum to people interested in aviation. The junior jurors also enjoyed watching planes take off from a nearby runway.

South Dakota Air And Space Museum

Ellsworth Air Force Base, Box Elder, S.D.

Telephone: +1 605 385 5188

Admission: free

Engineering Judge: Sue Kayton, self-employed, Palo Alto, Calif.

Junior Jury: Daniel, age 18

Exhibits From The Cold War Era include a B-52; a B-29; and a Minuteman II missile, silo, and mock-up control station. A bus tour of the base and a trip into a Minuteman silo are available for a nominal fee. The exhibits are aimed at adults, but they will also be of interest to older children who are intrigued by aviation. Our judge recommends this museum "to people interested in history, [the] Cold War, [and] aviation." The junior juror would like to visit this museum in the future with his kids.

Hill Aerospace Museum

Hill Air Force Base, Utah

https://www.hill.af.mil/museum

Admission: free

Engineering Judge: Roland Trope and Cynthia Trope

Junior Jury: Winston, age 7

Our Judges were disappointed in the "aircraft parking lot" feel and the lack of exhibits for children at this museum, which is home to many military aircraft and missiles. The junior juror had looked forward to visiting this museum but then "was struggling to stay interested." Our judges say that the best audience for this museum is perhaps "a model aircraft builder who wants to see the model full scale....For others, it will be a weary time."

About the Author

Janet M. Six is the principal of Lone Star Interaction Design, in Dallas. For more reviews and information on how you can tell us about a museum you have visited, see

This article is for IEEE members only. Join IEEE to access our full archive.

Join the world’s largest professional organization devoted to engineering and applied sciences and get access to all of Spectrum’s articles, podcasts, and special reports. Learn more →

If you're already an IEEE member, please sign in to continue reading.

Membership includes:

  • Get unlimited access to IEEE Spectrum content
  • Follow your favorite topics to create a personalized feed of IEEE Spectrum content
  • Save Spectrum articles to read later
  • Network with other technology professionals
  • Establish a professional profile
  • Create a group to share and collaborate on projects
  • Discover IEEE events and activities
  • Join and participate in discussions